Glenn operation - Day 5

We are home!!! Yay!! We got home around 3 pm today, and man does it feel good. They took out Addie's pacer wires, she had an ECHO and then we got discharged. I still can't believe Addie had open heart surgery just 5 days ago, and now we are home. Praise the Lord!! Addie graduated from the Safe at Home program at Children's. No more journaling everything she eats, weighing her everyday or checking her sats. What a great feeling. The 2 nurse practitioners that run Safe at Home made us cupcakes and cookies to celebrate graduation! You made it, Sweet Adeline!! What a strong, amazing girl you are.

Glenn operation - Day 4

We moved to the 8th floor yesterday around 5 pm. We kind of had a long night last night because eveytime one of the nurses came in to take vitals, give Tylenol, etc. Addie woke up and was MAD. It would take a while to get her back to sleep so it seemed like we were up all night. It is kind of funny (or sad) because anytime she hears another person's voice in the room she immediately starts crying. Once they leave, she is fine. I don't blame her! She is ready to be left alone. Dr. Forbess came by and seemed pleased with Addie's progress. He mentioned that the Norwood (Addie's first surgery) is an epic battle for everyone involved, but the Glenn is just "work." Usually a lot easier, in other words. We have definitely felt that way.  The plan is to get her pacer wires out tomorrow morning and be home in the afternoon. Woohoo!!

Glenn operation - Day 3

We are still in the CVICU just waiting on a bed on 8 to open up. Addie had an ok night last night. She was awake from about 3-6 this morning kind of uncomfortable. She had a little tummy ache, but seems better now. She got her art line and chest tube out this morning. She still has her pacing wires in and will go up to 8 with those. She looks so good! This surgery has been SO much smoother than the first. Addie is already talking, playing and smiling. It is crazy!!! They talked about letting us go home early next week if things continue to go well. Also, we noticed that Addie got a tooth. I have been checking in her mouth thinking she might be getting one, and sure enough one of her top ones came in.  We have so much to be thankful for! 

Glenn operation - Day 2

We are still in the CVICU, and will most likely be here tonight. Addie is doing wonderfully. They took out her breathing tube at about 12:30 am. They started feeding her clears about 5 am this morning and she has had 8 oz of formula since then. She is handling the formula well and actually seems pretty hungry. Her blood pressure has been a bit high according to one of her lines so they started a medicine called nicardipine to lower it, but she is no longer on it. Her cuff blood pressure is reading better so they think her line might not be accurate. The only medication she is currently taking is Tylenol and toradol (anti-inflammatory, pain reliever).  They are removing the central line in her neck in the next hour and the dressing on her chest will also come off today. We can hold her once the line in her neck is out. Yay!!! She has been awake today and seems comfortable. She has been kicking around and hasn't been really cranky. This surgery has been so different from the last one. Things are moving so much more quickly! Scott and I  got some pretty good sleep last night, and both feel well rested today. Thanks again for all the prayers and support!

Glenn Operation - Day 1

8:10 am - My heart was heavy this morning as we sent Addie off. They are getting all her anesthesia and lines ready right now and will update us in about an hour.

9:45 am - It took awhile to get Addie's IV's started, but they have made the incision and she is doing well.

10:40 am - Addie is on bypass now. They are about to start the repair. She is doing good.

11:50 am - Addie is out of surgery, and everything went as planned. We are about to get to see her. We will post more updates after we see her and are settled in.

9:50 pm - Addie has been resting comfortably in the CVICU since about noon today. We were greeted by one of our favorite nurses, Katie, upon arrival here. So glad to have a sweet, familiar face for the first few hours! Addie hasn't gotten her breathing tube out yet but hopefully soon. She is really sleepy so they are just waiting for her to wake up so they can take it out. It has been a long, emotional day, but we are so glad to be on this side of surgery. Dr. Forbess stopped by and was really pleased with how Addie wasn't too swollen, how pink she is, and with her sats. They are running low 90s. They are keeping her pain under control, and she seems to be very comfortable. Hoping for a good night's rest for everyone.

Thanks be to GOD! Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Pre-op - Glenn

Addie had her pre-op appointment today at Children's. It included an x-ray and labs. We had an ECHO and EKG last Thursday so luckily we didn't have to repeat those today. We also met with a surgical nurse practitioner and an anesthesia nurse practitioner to go over the details of tomorrow. Looks like everything is ready to go. We are set to go in at 6 am and the surgery is scheduled for 8:15 am. We will be updating the blog throughout Addie's surgery so for those of you who want to follow, please check back here.

5 months!

Addie was 5 months old on the 16th. My how time has flown. Addie, you are still the best baby. So calm and happy 99% of the time. Smiling at anyone and laughing a lot. You love your big sister so very much, and she loves you too. Your face lights up when Ellie walks in the room and you don't stop grinning until she leaves your sight. Your feet and hands have become your favorite toys. You play with them constantly. You are also pretty fond of your Sophie giraffe. I keep thinking you are getting a tooth because you chew on her so much! Haven't found one yet though. You can sit momentarily without support, drag objects towards yourself, and always turn towards new sounds and voices. What a precious joy you are, Sweet Adeline! 

We had our last clinic appointment today before Addie's surgery next week. Everything went perfectly, and we are good to go for next week as long as Addie stays well. Lots to thank God for today: Addie had a leaky valve that is no longer leaking because of the collateral that was recently plugged in her cath, her last holter showed no pre-excitement which means she might be growing out of her SVT(this is a big one), and she is 13 lbs 3 oz. All in all, a great appointment! 

Dedication

Sunday  was such a special day for our family as Addie was dedicated to the Lord at church. I knew it was going to be super emotional for both Scott and me (and our families) because there was a period of time when we didn't know whether or not we would get to have this moment with Addie. She did great and looked beautiful. Our church family has been so supportive of our family and we were glad everyone finally got to see Addie. We did take her out of the service right when her dedication was over for fear of germs, but those 5 minutes she did get to stay were precious! We also had a bunch of non-Wilshire friends that we wanted to thank for coming. It was a truly special day for everyone involved! God is so good!! 

Too close for comfort

In 16 short days, our precious baby will have her 2nd heart surgery. It already makes me sick thinking about sending her back into something that we have no idea how it will turn out. We have been home for almost 4 months, and it seems like 2 weeks. It really hit me today how close it is when I was grocery shopping. I was buying milk, and the expiration date on the milk I was buying was October 21. Yikes. That is 4 short days before she goes in. I was that weird girl crying in the dairy section. Good thing my eyes have been bothering me so I had my glasses on today and you really couldn't tell. :)

We are dedicating Addie this Sunday at church, and honestly, I wasn't sure we would ever make it this far. She has been such a blessing and has brought us so much joy. It is really exciting for our family. We made it extra special and asked many friends who have loved on our family the last 10 months (and really, a long time before that) to be a part. It should be something extra special for everyone involved. 

As you say your prayers, please say one for Sweet Adeline and our family in the coming weeks.